John Ford Silent Films, Part 1: 1917-1918
The Tornado through Three Mounted Men
The following is a list of John Ford silent films. These film pages are taken from Wikipedia entries (with some minor editing). I will be adding bibliographic material and John Ford film stills from my personal collection to add to these pages. Also, I will be adding bibliographic material and references from noted writers.
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The Tornado (1917)
Directed by
John Ford
Written by
Grace Cunard
Francis Ford
John Ford
Starring
John Ford
Production company
Bison Motion Pictures
Distributed by
Universal Film Manufacturing Company
Release date
March 3, 1917
Running time
2 reels (approximately 25 minutes)[a]
Country
United States
Language
Silent (English intertitles)
The Tornado is a 1917 American short film directed and co-written by John Ford, who at that time was credited as "Jack Ford".[1][2][3][4] Filmed in California, the two-reel Western starred Ford as well, with a supporting cast that included Jean Hathaway, John Duffy, Peter Gerald, Elsie Thornton, and Duke Worne.[5][6][7] This short is generally cited by film historians to be Ford's debut film as a director, although he had served as an assistant director in some earlier productions directed by his elder brother Francis Ford.[8][9] Produced by Bison Motion Pictures and distributed by Universal Pictures, this short is currently classified as a lost film.[7][10]
Cast
· John Ford as Jack Dayton (as Jack Ford)
· Jean Hathaway as Jack's mother
· Peter Gerald as Pendleton, banker from Rock River (as Pete Gerald)
· Elsie Thornton as Bess, Jack's daughter
· Duke Worne as Lesparre, the lead of Cayote gang
· John Duffy as Slick, Jack's partner
Production and reception
John Ford, who was only 23 years old at the time of this short's production, reportedly got drunk while filming and told producers that he simply ordered the actors what to do and then recorded the action.[11][12]
Reviews
The film was defined like: "In his hand-to-hand struggle in the cabin and the jump from the cabin roof to the back of his horse, Jack Ford qualifies as a rough-riding expert".[13][14][15] Jack Ford declared The Soul Herder as the first film he directed because he dismissed The Tornado and called it a "brunch of stunts".[16][7]
References and notes
References
1. Levy 1998, p. 8, "Biography".
2. Levy 1998, p. 42, "Chronology".
3. Leonard, Suzanne; Tasker, Yvonne (November 20, 2014). "Classical Hollywood". In Kelly, Christopher (ed.). Fifty Hollywood Directors. Routledge. p. 101.
4. Frankel 2013, p. 393, "Quanah Texas June 2011".
5. Grant, Barry Keith (2003). "Filmography". John Ford's Stagecoach. Cambridge University Press. p. 185.
6. Levy 1998, p. 64, "Filmography".
7. Bogdanovich, Peter (1967). "Fords' Career Filmography". John Ford. University of California Press. p. 111.
8. Hughes, Howard (October 24, 2007). "There's a Hundred More Tombstones." Stagecoach to Tombstone: The Filmgoers' Guide to the Great Westerns. I.B.Tauris. p. 304.
9. "'THE TRAIL OF HATE'", The Moving Picture Weekly, April 21, 1917, p. 29.
10. "Progressive Silent Film List: The Tornado." Silent Era. Retrieved February 22, 2008.
11. The Moving Picture World. March 3, 1917
12. Bogdanovich, Peter. p. B6
13. Gallagher, Tag. p. B23
14. Davis, Ronald. B13, p. 38
Notes
1. According to How Movies Work by Bruce F. Kawin (Berkeley: University of California Press, 1987), a standard 1000-foot theatrical reel of film in the silent era was projected at a speed of 16 frames per second, considerably slower than the 24 frames in the sound era. A full silent reel therefore had an average running time a bit less than 15 minutes.
Bibliography
· Frankel, Glenn (2013). The Searchers: The Making of an American Legend. Bloomsbury Publishing. pp. 320.
· Levy, Bill (1998). John Ford: A Bio-bibliography. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 352.
· Mitchell, George (March 1963). "The Films of John Ford". Films in Review. pp. 129–145.
The Scrapper (1917)
Directed by
John Ford
Produced by
Carl Laemmle
Written by
John Ford
Starring
John Ford
Cinematography
Ben F. Reynolds
Distributed by
Universal Film Manufacturing Company
Release date
June 9, 1917
Running time
2 reels (approximately 25 minutes)[1]
Country
United States
Language
Silent (English intertitles)
The Scrapper is a 1917 American short Western drama directed by John Ford, who at that time was credited as "Jack Ford". The film is considered to be lost.[2]
Cast
· John Ford as Buck, the scrapper (credited as Jack Ford)
· Louise Granville as Helen Dawson
· Duke Worne as Jerry Martin
· Jean Hathaway
· Martha Hayes
References
1. According to How Movies Work by Bruce F. Kawin (Berkeley: University of California Press, 1987), a standard 1000-foot theatrical reel of film in the silent era was projected at a speed of 16 frames per second, considerably slower than the 24 frames in the sound era. A full silent reel therefore had an average running time a bit less than 15 minutes.
2. "Progressive Silent Film List: The Scrapper." Silent Era.
The Soul Herder (1917)
Directed by
John Ford
Written by
George Hively
Starring
Harry Carey
Cinematography
Ben F. Reynolds
Production company
New York Motion Picture Company
Distributed by
Universal Film Manufacturing Co.
Release date
August 3, 1917
Running time
30 minutes
Country
United States
Language
Silent with English intertitles
The Soul Herder is a 1917 American silent Western film directed by John Ford, and featuring Harry Carey. The film is presumed to be lost.[1] The film was premiered in Dayton, Ohio, on August 3, 1917.[2]
Cast
· Harry Carey
· Molly Malone
· Hoot Gibson
· Jean Hersholt as Priest
· Fritzi Ridgeway
· Duke R. Lee
· William Steele credited as William Gettinger
· Elizabeth James as Daughter
· Vester Pegg
Reception
Like many American films of the time, The Soul Herder was subject to cuts by city and state film censorship boards. The Chicago Board of Censors ordered cut scenes showing the shooting of a clergyman, a man muffling a girl in a bedroom, killing a man outside a house, and the closeup of a dead man.[3]
References
1. "Progressive Silent Film List: The Soul Herder". Silent Era.
2. The Dayton Herald, August 3, 1917, p. 25
3. "Official Cut-Outs by the Chicago Board of Censors". Exhibitors Herald. New York City: Exhibitors Herald Company. 5 (8): 33. August 18, 1917.
Cheyenne's Pal (1917)
Directed by
John Ford
Written by
John Ford
Charles J. Wilson
Starring
Harry Carey
Cinematography
Friend Baker
Release date
August 4, 1917
Running time
20 minutes
Country
United States
Language
Silent (English intertitles)
Cheyenne's Pal is a 1917 American silent Western film directed by John Ford and featuring Harry Carey. The film is considered to be lost.[1]
Plot
As described in a film magazine,[2] Noisy Jim (Corey), a British officer, is anxious to purchase Cactus Peter, the horse belonging to Cheyenne Harry (Carey), but Harry refuses to sell. Harry meets Flora Belle (Astor) one night at the dance hall. Since its pay day, Harry spends all of his money on her, and when he runs out she looks around for someone else who still has money to spend.
Angered, Harry goes out, sells Cactus Pete, and returns with more money. When he awakens the next day from his drunken stupor and realizes what he has done, he is consumed with regret and goes to recover his horse. He steels his horse, but is ordered shot for the act. When the fatal hour nears, the British officer relents, and Harry is allowed to go free.
Cast
· Gertrude Astor as Girl from dancing hall
· Harry Carey as Cheyenne Harry
· Pete Carey as Cactus Pete the Horse
· Jim Corey as Noisy Jim
· Hoot Gibson as Cowboy
· Ed Jones as Cowboy
· Vester Pegg as Cowboy
· Steve Pimento as Cowboy
· William Steele (credited as Bill Gettinger) as Cowboy
Production
Filming took place over a three-day period (May 23–25, 1917) under the working titles Cactus My Pal and The Dumb Friend. The finished film was released by Universal Studios as a 20-minute silent film on two reels. The film is part of the "Cheyenne Harry" series of film featurettes, and was initially released as a promotional tool for the sale of American war bonds during World War I.[3]
References
1. "Progressive Silent Film List: Cheyenne's Pal". Silent Era.
2. "Synopses of Current Releases". Exhibitors Herald. New York City: Exhibitors Herald Company. 5 (8): 35. August 18, 1917.
Straight Shooting (1917)
Directed by
John Ford
Written by
George Hively
Starring
Harry Carey
Cinematography
Ben F. Reynolds
George Scott
Distributed by
Universal Pictures
Release date
August 27, 1917
Running time
57 minutes
Country
United States
Language
Silent (English intertitles)
Straight Shooting is a 1917 American silent Western film directed by John Ford and featuring Harry Carey. Prints of this film survive in the International Museum of Photography and Film at George Eastman House.[1] Like many American films of the time, Straight Shooting was subject to cuts by city and state film censorship boards. The Chicago Board of Censors refused to issue a permit for this film as submitted as it consists of detailed portrayal of murder and outlawry.[2]
Plot
At the end of the 19th century in the Far West, a farmer is fighting for his right to plough the plains. In order to expel the farmers, the ranchers try to control access to water.[3]
Cast
· Harry Carey as Cheyenne Harry
· Duke R. Lee as Thunder Flint (credited as Duke Lee)
· George Berrell as Sweet Water Sims
· Molly Malone as Joan Sims
· Ted Brooks as Ted Sims
· Hoot Gibson as Danny Morgan (credits) / Sam Turner (titles)
· Milton Brown as Black-Eye Pete (credited as Milt Brown)
· Vester Pegg as Placer Fremont
Production
John Ford's older brother Francis proposed John to direct the film after the first director left. Harry Carey and John Ford hit it off immediately and continued to work together after the success of the film. Carey mentored Ford "he tutored me in the early years sort of brought me along".[4]
Most of the exterior sets were built and the film was shot on the Universal backlot. Ford concocted a scheme to make a feature length film out of what was budgeted to be a two reel film by telling Universal some of the exposed film had fallen in a river. When Universal realized that they had a full length film on their hands, the studio was upset. Studio executive Carl Laemmle pointed out that, if he paid for a suit and got an extra pair of pants, he wouldn’t just throw them away.[5]
References
1. "Progressive Silent Film List: Straight Shooting". silentera.com.
2. "Official Cut-Outs by the Chicago Board of Censors". Exhibitors Herald. 5 (13): 33. September 22, 1917.
3. Review and synopsis "A cinema history: Straight shooting (1917)". Retrieved March 30, 2014.
4. Bogdonovich, Peter “John Ford”(2nd edition, Berkeley, University of California 1978)
5. McBride, Joseph commentary track for 2020 Kino-Lorber Blu-ray
The Secret Man (1917)
Directed by
John Ford
Written by
John Ford
George Hively
Starring
Harry Carey
Cinematography
Ben F. Reynolds
Distributed by
Universal Pictures
Release date
October 1, 1917
Running time
50 minutes
Country
United States
Language
Silent (English intertitles)
The Secret Man is a 1917 American silent Western film, directed by John Ford and featuring Harry Carey. Two of the five reels of the film survive at the Library of Congress film archive.[1]
Plot
As described in a film magazine,[2] Cheyenne Harry (Carey) escapes from prison and while escaping comes upon the body of a young girl (Janes) that was thrown by a runaway horse. He picks her up and is proceeding on his way when his horse is frightened and bolts down a steep hillside. Harry, realizing the danger the girl is in, gives himself up so that she can receive care. Her mother Molly (Sterling) has secretly married Harry Beaufort (Foster) and it is her mother's brother who arrests Harry. The mother has been told that her little girl is dead, and she loses her reason. At a church bazaar the girl is to be auctioned off to the highest bidder. Mother and daughter recognize each other, and the mother's mind is restored. Through the assistance of Harry, the mother and her husband are reunited. The sheriff is happy to find that the girl Annabelle is his niece and in appreciation of Harry's kindness allows him to go free.
Cast
· Harry Carey as Cheyenne Harry
· Edythe Sterling as Molly (credited as Edith Sterling)
· J. Morris Foster as Harry Beaufort (credited as Morris Foster)
· Elizabeth Janes as His Child
· Vester Pegg as Bill
· William Steele as The Foreman (credited as Bill Gettinger)
· Steve Clemente as Pedro, the Foreman (credited as Steve Clement)
· Hoot Gibson as Chuck Fadden
Production
Filming took place under the working titles The Round Up and Up Against It. The film was released by Universal Studios through a subsidiary, Universal-Butterfly, in October 1917. It was a silent film on five reels, part of the "Cheyenne Harry" series of film featurettes.[3]
Reception
Like many American films of the time, The Secret Man was subject to cuts by city and state film censorship boards. The Chicago Board of Censors required a cut of the scene of the jailer dropping the keys before the prisoner's cell.[4]
References
1. "Progressive Silent Film List: The Secret Man". silentera.com.
2. "Reviews: The Secret Man". Exhibitors Herald. New York: Exhibitors Herald Company. 5 (16): 28. October 13, 1917.
3. Gallagher, Tag (1986). John Ford: The Man and His Films. University of California Press. p. 504.
4. "Official Cut-Outs by the Chicago Board of Censors". Exhibitors Herald. New York City: Exhibitors Herald Company. 5 (17): 33. October 20, 1917.
A Marked Man (1917)
Directed by
John Ford
Written by
John Ford (story)
George Hively (scenario)
Starring
Harry Carey
Cinematography
John W. Brown
Distributed by
Universal Film Manufacturing Company
Release date
October 19, 1917
Running time
50 minutes
Country
United States
Language
Silent (English intertitles)
A Marked Man is a 1917 American silent Western film directed by John Ford and featuring Harry Carey. It is considered to be a lost film.[1]
Plot
As described in a film magazine,[2] Cheyenne Harry (Carey), in his search for food, breaks into the home of Grant Young (Rattenberry) and his daughter Molly (Malone), who recognizes him as the man who held up the train she was traveling on but then allowed her to keep a brooch, a gift from her mother. Grant gives him a chance to make good by becoming an employee on the ranch. Harry enters a horse race contest to get enough money to visit his mother, but Ben Kent, a road agent and an old friend of Harry, cuts his stirrups. Grant forces Harry to assist in holding up a stage coach, and after Kent kills the driver of the coach, both he and Harry are arrested. A message announcing the pending arrival of Harry's mother (Townsend) results in the postponement of Harry's hanging for a couple of weeks, and Harry is allowed by the sheriff (Steele) to make use of Grant's ranch and daughter to deceive Harry's mother, as Harry had stated in his letters to her that he was an honorable man. After his mother's departure, a telegram arrives that exonerates Harry, and he rushes to see Molly.
Cast
· Harry Carey as Cheyenne Harry
· Molly Malone as Molly Young
· Harry L. Rattenberry as Grant Young (credited as Harry Rattenbury)
· Vester Pegg as Ben Kent
· Anna Townsend as Harry's Mother (credited as Mrs. Townsend)
· William Steele as Sheriff (credited as Bill Gettinger)
· Hoot Gibson as Undetermined role
Reception
Like many American films of the time, A Marked Man was subject to cuts by city and state film censorship boards. The Chicago Board of Censors required cuts of four scenes of holdup of coach in pass, first holdup scene in water, and the intertitle "Clear out of here and we will forget about the hold up".[3]
References
1. "Progressive Silent Film List: A Marked Man". silentera.com.
2. "Reviews: A Marked Man". Exhibitors Herald. New York: Exhibitors Herald Company. 5 (21): 29. November 17, 1917.
3. "Official Cut-Outs by the Chicago Board of Censors". Exhibitors Herald. 5 (21): 33. November 17, 1917.
Bucking Broadway (1917)
Directed by
John Ford
Produced by
Harry Carey
Written by
George Hively
Starring
Harry Carey
Molly Malone
Cinematography
John W. Brown
Ben F. Reynolds
Production company
Universal Film Manufacturing Company
Distributed by
Universal Film Manufacturing Company
Release date
December 24, 1917
Running time
53 minutes (restored version)
Country
United States
Language
Silent (English intertitles)
Bucking Broadway is a 1917 American silent western film directed by John Ford, probably his sixth feature film. Long thought to be lost, along with about 60 of Ford's 70 silent films, it was found in 2002 in the archives of the CNC (the French National Center for Cinematography).[1] It was subsequently restored and digitized and is available on the Criterion Blu-Ray of John Ford's Stagecoach.
Plot
As described in a film magazine,[2] Cheyenne Harry (Carey), one of the cowboys on a ranch in Wyoming, falls in love with Helen (Malone), his boss's daughter. She decides to elope to the city with Captain Thornton (Pegg), a wealthy visitor to the ranch from New York. Cheyenne and Helen's father (Wells) are downhearted. Cheyenne, devastated by the loss of his finance, decides to go to the city to rescue her, and finds Thorton giving a dinner party in a hotel about to announce his engagement to Helen. As the dinner progresses Helen discovers the true nature of Thornton and endeavors to escape from him. Cheyenne comes to her rescue and, with the assistance of some cowboys, clean up the place, leaving Cheyenne and Helen reunited.
Cast
· Harry Carey as Cheyenne Harry
· Molly Malone as Helen
· L. M. Wells as Her Father
· Vester Pegg as Thornton
· William Steele as Foreman (credited as William Gettinger)
· Gertrude Astor as Gladys (uncredited)
· Martha Mattox as Shocked Customer in Store (uncredited)
Reception
Like many American films of the time, Bucking Broadway was subject to cuts by city and state film censorship boards. The Chicago Board of Censors required a cut of the intertitle "While Helen makes the acquaintance of Gladys" etc., seven scenes of young woman in low cut gown and distant scene, reduce length of fight scenes by half, striking man on head with bottle, six struggle scenes with young woman at table, three closeups of man trying to kiss woman, three scenes of intoxicated man at table, throwing man across table and punching him, two scenes of throwing man over trellis, Cheyenne kicking and striking man, scene of Cheyenne striking intoxicated man, and the scene in background with young woman in low cut gown sitting on couch with man.[3]
References
1. "Progressive Silent Film List: Bucking Broadway". silentera.com.
2. "Reviews: Bucking Broadway". Exhibitors Herald. New York City: Exhibitors Herald Company. 6 (2): 25. January 5, 1918.
3. "Official Cut-Outs by the Chicago Board of Censors". Exhibitors Herald. 6 (3): 31. January 12, 1918.
The Phantom Riders (1918)
Directed by
John Ford
Produced by
Harry Carey
Written by
George Hively
Henry MacRae
Starring
Harry Carey
Cinematography
John W. Brown
Ben F. Reynolds
Distributed by
Universal Film Manufacturing Co.
Release date
January 28, 1918
Running time
50 minutes
Country
United States
Language
Silent (English intertitles)
The Phantom Riders is a 1918 silent American Western film directed by John Ford and featuring Harry Carey. The film is considered to be lost.[1]
Plot
As described in a film magazine,[2] Dave Bland (Steele), head of a band of cattle rustlers operating in Paradise Valley, is defied by Cheyenne Harry (Carey) who has driven his heard into the valley to graze. Bland calls his phantom riders together, routes Harry's cattle, and then seeks their owner intent on taking his life. The Unknown (Pegg), an influential member of the gang who has a grievance against Harry, claims the right to settle with him and this is agreed to. In the meantime, Molly Grant (Malone) prevails upon her father Pebble Grant (Connors) to warn Harry of the danger. The rustlers discover this and hang Grant, and Molly is forced to marry Bland. Hearing that Harry is in a nearby saloon, the gang rushes the place. A gunfight follows and Harry and his partner inflict many casualties. Rangers who were notified by Molly arrive and route the gang. The film ends with the distant chimes of wedding bells for Cheyenne Harry and Molly.
Cast
· Harry Carey as Cheyenne Harry
· William Steele as Dave Bland (credited as Bill Gettinger)
· Molly Malone as Molly Grant
· Buck Connors as 'Pebble' Grant (credited as Buck Connor)
· Vester Pegg as The Unknown
· Jim Corey as Foreman
Production
Filming took place from September 7–27, 1917. Released in January 1918 as a Universal Special feature, The Phantom Riders was a 50-minute silent film on five reels, part of the "Cheyenne Harry" series of film featurettes. The original story was written by Henry McRae and adapted for the screen by scenarist George Hively.[3]
Reception
Like many American films of the time, The Phantom Riders was subject to cuts by city and state film censorship boards. The Chicago Board of Censors required cuts, in Reel 1, of the shooting of a man at the roulette wheel, three scenes of men laughing at dying man, all scenes of man with knife, indicating slitting of man's mouth, the intertitle "For miles around the phantoms gathered" etc., all except first two scenes of phantoms gathering, Reel 3, two intertitles "We've got his cattle, now let's get him" and "Let's run his cattle to death", all scenes of cattle rustling, five closeups of masked man and thirteen scenes of men assembling, Reel 4, shooting man off horse, three holdup scenes inside cabin, two closeups of masked man alone and view of masked men, entrance of masked man into hut and taking gun from man, two scenes of man hanging from tree, five intertitles "Joe Norton has proved himself a traitor" etc., "You are a sneaking skunk", "Vengeance of the phantoms", "Cheyenne kept his appointment", and "They hung the fellow who tipped us off", Reel 5, four scenes of the holdup of Cheyenne in saloon, reduce length of all shooting and fight scenes, closeup of man shooting around corner of saloon, man fallowing from ladder, four dead body scenes, Cheyenne shooting man and his falling in saloon, all but five shooting scenes between Cheyenne and raiders, all but five fight scenes between rangers and raiders, and to eliminate the trailer.[4]
References
1. "Progressive Silent Film List: The Phantom Riders". silentera.com. Retrieved February 22, 2008.
2. "Reviews: The Phantom Riders". Exhibitors Herald. New York City: Exhibitors Herald Company. 6 (7): 25. February 9, 1918.
3. Gallagher, Tag (1986); John Ford: The Man and His Films; University of California Press, USA. See p.505.
4. "Official Cut-Outs by the Chicago Board of Censors". Exhibitors Herald. 6 (9): 29. February 23, 1918.
Wild Women (1918)
Directed by
John Ford
Produced by
Harry Carey
Written by
Harry Carey
John Ford
George Hively
Starring
Harry Carey
Cinematography
John W. Brown
Ben F. Reynolds
Distributed by
Universal Film Manufacturing Company
Release date
February 25, 1918
Running time
50 minutes
Country
United States
Language
Silent (English intertitles)
Wild Women is a 1918 American comedy western film directed by John Ford and featuring Harry Carey. The film is considered to be lost.[1]
Plot
As described in a film magazine,[2] Cheyenne Harry (Carey) and his pals, bent on helping their friend Rawhide Jack, attend a rodeo with the intent to win the prize for roping steers and to hand the winnings over to Jack. Harry wins, and after the rodeo the boys go to a cafe where they imbibe too freely in the flowing wine and fall asleep. Harry finds himself robbed and with the others shanghaied and aboard a ship. They mutiny and Harry becomes the captain. A shipboard fire results in them landing on a desert island, where the Queen (Mattox) of the Blackanwhites falls in love with Harry. He dodges her and runs off with her daughter the Princess (Malone). Just as he starts making love to her, he awakens from a dream, the product of Harry's legendarily prodigious drinking, and discovers that he is holding one of the sleeping cowboys.
Cast
· Harry Carey as Cheyenne Harry
· Molly Malone as The Princess
· Martha Mattox as The Queen
· Ed Jones as Pelon (as Edward Jones)
· Vester Pegg as Pegg
· E. Van Beaver as The Boss
· Wilton Taylor as Slugger Joe (as Wilfred Taylor)
Production
Wild Women was a Universal Special release in February 1918. It was a silent film on five reels, part of the Western-themed "Cheyenne Harry" series of film featurettes.[3]
Reception
Like many American films of the time, Wild Women was subject to cuts by city and state film censorship boards. For example, the Chicago Board of Censors required cuts in Reel 2 of the three first scenes of the young woman dancing on the stage and two closeups of young woman dancing on a table.[4]
References
1. "Progressive Silent Film List: Wild Women". silentera.com.
2. "Reviews: Wild Women". Exhibitors Herald. New York City: Exhibitors Herald Company. 6 (11): 25. March 9, 1918.
3. Gallagher, Tag (1986); John Ford: The Man and His Films; University of California Press. p. 505.
4. "Official Cut-Outs by the Chicago Board of Censors". Exhibitors Herald. 6 (13): 29. March 23, 1918.
Thieves' Gold (1918)
Directed by
John Ford
Written by
Frederic R. Bechdolt
George Hively
Starring
Harry Carey
Cinematography
John W. Brown
Ben F. Reynolds
Distributed by
Universal Film Manufacturing Company
Release date
March 18, 1918
Running time
50 minutes
Country
United States
Language
Silent (English intertitles)
Thieves' Gold is a 1918 American Western film directed by John Ford and featuring Harry Carey. It is considered to be a lost film.[1]
Plot
Cheyenne Harry tries to help his outlaw friend Padden evade arrest after Padden has drunkenly shot another man. In the end, the two mismatched friends fight it out, leaving Padden dead. In a romantic subplot, Harry's fiancée Alice leaves him, but finally returns.
Cast
· Harry Carey as Cheyenne Harry
· Molly Malone as Alice Norris
· John Cook as Uncle Larkin
· Martha Mattox as Mrs. Larkin
· Vester Pegg as Curt Simmons aka "Padden"
· Harry Tenbrook as "Colonel" Betoski
· Helen Ware as Mrs. Savage
· L. M. Wells as Savage
· Millard K. Wilson as undetermined role
Production
Thieves' Gold was released as a Universal Special Feature in 1918. It was a 50-minute silent film on five reels, part of the "Cheyenne Harry" series of film featurettes. The original story, "Back to the Right Train" by Frederick R. Bechdolt, was adapted for the screen by scenarist George Hively. This installment of "Cheyenne Harry" won notably negative reviews by critics at the time of its release.[2]
Reception
Like many American films of the time, Thieves' Gold was subject to cuts by city and state film censorship boards. For example, the Chicago Board of Censors cut, in Reel 2, six scenes of women at bar and women drinking, flashed two scenes of tough dancing by Cheyenne Harry and young woman, Harry shooting a Mexican, Reel 4, four holdup scenes, Reel 5, shooting of Padden, two scenes of Harry shooting.[3]
References
1. "Progressive Silent Film List: Thieves' Gold". silentera.com.
2. Gallagher, Tag (1986). John Ford: The Man and His Films. University of California Press. p. 505.
The Scarlet Drop (1918)
Directed by
John Ford
Written by
John Ford
George Hively
Starring
Harry Carey
Cinematography
Ben F. Reynolds
Distributed by
Universal Film Manufacturing
Release date
April 22, 1918
Running time
50 minutes
Country
United States
Language
Silent (English intertitles)
The Scarlet Drop is a 1918 American Western film directed by John Ford and featuring Harry Carey. Just over 30 minutes of footage of the film now survives in the Getty Images Archive.[1]
Plot
As described in a film magazine,[2] "Kaintuck" Ridge (Carey), refused admission to the local militia to fight on the side of Union in the American Civil War, joins a gang of marauders and at the end of the conflict finds himself a fugitive with a price on his head. He goes west and becomes a bandit. Marley Calvert (Pegg), who kept Kaintuck out of the army, also goes west and takes up mining. Betty Calvert (Schade) is taken captive when Kaintuck holds up a stage coach. His hatred for the Calverts is overcome by his admiration for Molly (Malone) and later, when her honor is attacked by a former suitor, he defends her and wins her love.
Cast
· Harry Carey as "Kaintuck" Harry Ridge
· Molly Malone as Molly Calvert
· Vester Pegg as Marley Calvert
· Betty Schade as Betty Calvert
· Millard K. Wilson as Graham Lyons (credited as M.K. Wilson)
· Martha Mattox as Mammy
· Steve Clemente as Buck (credited as Steve Clemento)
Reception
Like many American films of the time, The Scarlet Drop was subject to cuts by city and state film censorship boards. For example, the Chicago Board of Censors issued an Adults Only permit for the film and cut, in Reel 2, the shooting of man standing in church yard, Reel 3, placing tree in road, all scenes of coach holdup except where young woman and bandit are conversing, two scenes of outlaws taking spoils from passengers, Reel 5, three fight scenes were man presses knife towards opponent, two scenes of men throwing knives, and man shooting Ridge.[3]
References
1. "Progressive Silent Film List: The Scarlet Drop". silentera.com.
2. "Reviews: The Scarlet Drop". Exhibitors Herald. New York City: Exhibitors Herald Company. 6 (17): 28. April 20, 1918.
3. "Official Cut-Outs by the Chicago Board of Censors". Exhibitors Herald. New York City: Exhibitors Herald Company. 6 (19): 31. May 4, 1918.
Hell Bent (1918)
Directed by
John Ford
Written by
John Ford
Harry Carey
Eugene B. Lewis
Starring
Harry Carey
Cinematography
Ben F. Reynolds
Distributed by
Universal Film Manufacturing Company
Release date
July 6, 1918
Running time
50 minutes
Country
United States
Language
Silent (English intertitles)
Hell Bent is a 1918 American Western film directed by John Ford and featuring Harry Carey. A print of the film exists in the Czechoslovak Film Archive.[1]
Plot
As described in a film magazine,[2] Bess Thurston (Gerber), whose no-account brother Jack (Pegg) is unable to support her, obtains employment in a dance hall. This shatters the illusions of Cheyenne Harry (Carey), who has fallen in love with her. When he rescues her from the advances of Beau Ross (Harris), Cheyenne's confidence in her is restored. Her brother then aids Beau in an attempted robbery and Harry allows them to escape. Beau takes Bess with him into the desert. Harry follows and a duel ensues in which they are both wounded. Bess rides the only horse left out of the desert, while Beau and Harry struggle along on foot. A sandstorm results in the death of Beau, but Harry lives to find happiness with Bess.
Cast
· Harry Carey as Cheyenne Harry
· Duke R. Lee as Cimmaron Bill (credited as Duke Lee)
· Neva Gerber as Bess Thurston
· Vester Pegg as Jack Thurston
· Joe Harris as Beau Ross (credited as Joseph Harris)
· Steve Clemente as Undetermined Role
· Millard K. Wilson as Undetermined Role
· Molly Malone as Undetermined Role
Reception
Like many American films of the time, Hell Bent was subject to restrictions and cuts by city and state film censorship boards. For example, the Chicago Board of Censors cut, in Reel 1, all scenes of the stage holdup, Reel 4, two scenes of men working at safe, all scenes of holdup on coach, Reel 5, binding man to horse, and three scenes of bandits in cabin shooting.[3]
Restoration and home video
In 2019, the film was digitally restored by Universal Pictures[4] and released the following year on Blu-ray and DVD by Kino Lorber.[5]
References
1. "Progressive Silent Film List: Hell Bent". silentera.com.
2. "Reviews: Hell Bent". Exhibitors Herald. New York City: Exhibitors Herald Company. 7 (4): 42-43. July 20, 1918.
3. "Official Cut-Outs by the Chicago Board of Censors". Exhibitors Herald. New York City: Exhibitors Herald Company. 7 (6): 41. August 3, 1918.
4. "Universal Pictures Restores John Ford's Hell Bent Premiering at San Francisco Silent Film Festival 2019". PR Newswire.
5. "Hell Bent Blu-ray and DVD". Kino Lorber.
A Woman's Fool (1918)
Directed by
John Ford
Written by
George Hively (scenario)
Based on
Lin McLean by Owen Wister
Starring
Harry Carey
Cinematography
Ben F. Reynolds
Distributed by
Universal Film Manufacturing Company
Release date
August 15, 1918
Running time
50 minutes
Country
United States
Language
Silent (English intertitles)
A Woman's Fool is a 1918 American Western film directed by John Ford featuring Harry Carey. The film is considered to be lost.[1]
Plot
As described in a film magazine,[2] Lin McLean (Carey), a cowboy, is a fool where women are concerned. He befriends Katie Lusk (Schade), a Denver "biscuit shooter", only to be rejected. Dishearten, he picks up a homeless boy, Tommy Lusk (Pegg), off the Denver streets and makes a pal of him. He learns that the boy's mother is none other than the woman who rejected him. Katy comes back into his life, vowing that she really loves him, but Lin has met Jessamine Buckner (Malone), the new station agent in the small town near where he works, and Lin realizes that she is the right woman. Katy commits suicide and Lin, Jessamine, and the boy start a new life together.
Cast
· Harry Carey as Lin McLean
· Betty Schade as Katie Lusk
· Molly Malone as Jessamine Buckner (credited as Mollie Malone)
· Millard K. Wilson as The Virginian
· Ed Jones as 'Honey' Wiggin
· Vester Pegg as Tommy Lusk
· William A. Carroll as Lusk
· Roy Clark as Billy
· Sam De Grasse as Undetermined Role
References
1. "Progressive Silent Film List: A Woman's Fool". silentera.com.
2. "Reviews: A Woman's Fool". Exhibitors Herald. New York City: Exhibitors Herald Company. 7 (6): 52. August 10, 1918.
Three Mounted Men (1918)
Directed by
Jack Ford
Screenplay by
Eugene B. Lewis
Story by
Eugene B. Lewis
Starring
Harry Carey
Cinematography
John W. Brown
Ben F. Reynolds
Distributed by
Universal Film Manufacturing Company
Release date
October 7, 1918
Running time
60 minutes
Country
United States
Language
Silent (English intertitles)
Three Mounted Men is a 1918 American Western film directed by John Ford (credited as Jack Ford) and featuring Harry Carey. The film is considered to be lost.[1]
Plot
As described in a film magazine,[2] Cheyenne Harry (Carey) is promised his liberty from prison if he will capture "dead or alive" Buck Masters (Harris), a worthless and desperate character. Harry agrees, and in short order he has won the confidence of the bad man and they agree to hold up the night stage coach. Harry tips off the sheriff and the tough is caught. Harry then finds that this has robbed a poor girl, Lola (Gerber), and her mother (Lafayette) of their only support. Harry relents and, with his two pals, they kidnap the thief from the sheriff's automobile and make off with him. Harry rides off to begin life anew with Lola, the desperado's sister.
Cast
· Harry Carey as Cheyenne Harry
· Joe Harris as Buck Masters
· Neva Gerber as Lola Masters
· Harry Carter as The Warden's Son
· Ruby Lafayette as Mrs. Masters
· Charles Hill Mailes as Warden
· Mrs. Anna Townsend as Harry's Mother
· Ella Hall as Undetermined Role
Reception
Like many American films of the time, Three Mounted Men was subject to cuts by city and state film censorship boards. For example, the Chicago Board of Censors required a cut, in Reel 1, of the last choking scene, Reel 2, the second part of the letter beginning with "If you try to get me" etc., Reel 4, one scene of a young woman at the bar, Reel 5, the two intertitles "I am going to prove I am your friend" etc. and "The stage will reach Red Gulch at nine o'clock", and, Reel 6, the first stage holdup scene.[3]
References
1. "Progressive Silent Film List: Three Mounted Men". silentera.com.
2. "Reviews: Three Mounted Men". Exhibitors Herald. New York City: Exhibitors Herald Company. 7 (15): 34. October 5, 1918.
3. "Official Cut-Outs by the Chicago Board of Censors". Exhibitors Herald. New York City: Exhibitors Herald Company. 7 (22): 28. November 23, 1918.